Kitchen politics - fiction (Final Chapter updated - Page 36) - Page 11

Originally posted by: Aimsha

Thanku so so so much for the update, you are really a champ at your work since dahleez days i have been reading your work and they are always fabulous to read, will wait eagerly for the next update

Thanks. I feel so happy to know that you like my work. Hope you will keep enjoying this story.

Will update soon. Take care. 😳

Originally posted by: AnjuRish

Poor astha was kindof manipulated into the marriage due to her love for Shaan ..I respect her now ..she tried to be upfront and was cheated later

I guess all that food goes to some orphanage or old age home

Loving these dynamics btw shaakhi ..anokhi seems to have empathy

Thanks. I always look forward to your feedback. Helps me in making it better. I am happy to know you are enjoying Shakhi and Shaastha story. I try to give them equal footage here.

Keep reading. 😳

Originally posted by: anjali9996

loved it

Thanks for your feedback.

I am glad to know you are liking it.😊

Oh wow! This was such an exciting chapters! I loved how Anokhi is midnful about everything that's happening around her..

😆 and he is quick too when it comes to looking for an excuse 😆

Shaan! Gosh... He does seem a good person, but his actions are terribly cruel... No wonder Astha left him

Really loving this story🌹...the parallel style is interesting...shaan is going against his conscience & trapping Asthaa😰 while Shaurya thinks he is doing the same too...getting one up on them🤔...will his conscience bother him too🤔 esp in relation to Anokhi...cant wait to see what you have planned for us

Nice one...thnx😊💖🌹

Originally posted by: shahsb_26

Oh wow! This was such an exciting chapters! I loved how Anokhi is midnful about everything that's happening around her..

😆 and he is quick too when it comes to looking for an excuse 😆

Shaan! Gosh... He does seem a good person, but his actions are terribly cruel... No wonder Astha left him

Thanks.

Anokhi is mature and acts according to her position and responsibility. Shaurya is more carefree now as he is a student. Besides he likes riling her up.😆

Shaan acts according to the wishes of his brother because he trusts his decisions. Tej has been successful all along with this manipulations which makes Shaan believe what Tej is doing is for the best. Though his conscience doesn't agree.

Originally posted by: GHKPM

Really loving this story🌹...the parallel style is interesting...shaan is going against his conscience & trapping Asthaa😰 while Shaurya thinks he is doing the same too...getting one up on them🤔...will his conscience bother him too🤔 esp in relation to Anokhi...cant wait to see what you have planned for us

Nice one...thnx😊💖🌹

Yes, Shaan is acting against his conscience to satisfy Tej. Tej is good with manipulations. And Shaan trusts his decisions in business.

Shaurya's considered should prick him. Let's see.

Chapter 9

They had driven for about two miles when Anokhi’s car pulled over at the side of the road. Shaurya stopped his car behind them.

All of a sudden a group of children came from nowhere and surrounded her car like a swarm of bees around a honeypot. Their tattered clothes and dishevelled appearance told a lot about their economic condition.

Anokhi came out of her car. The helper handed the food packets to her as she distributed them among the kids. Shaurya too got out of his car and walked up to her.

“So these are your kids.”

Anokhi smiled, “Yes”.

The children sat down on the footpath itself and started devouring the food with relish. Soon some adults also came there and Anokhi handed over food packets to them as well.

“Do you come here everyday?”

“Yes. We cannot waste the food that our students prepare with so much effort. This way we bring some happiness to the faces of these unfortunate kids.”

Just then the cries of one kid interrupted their conversation. They went to him to find out what happened. Apparently, he had dropped food and soiled his only good shirt. His mother lost her cool because of this and rained slaps and abuses on him. Anokhi went and stood between them to guard the child. She then handed over some money to the mother and asked her to buy a new shirt for the kid. The woman’s anger evaporated within a second and she happily lifted her child in her arms and wiped his face affectionately.

After everyone had finished eating and left, Shaurya and Anokhi started walking towards their cars. As Shaurya saw the helper putting the bags back in the car, he asked hesitantly, “Are there any food packets left?”

“Yes, I think four to five are still left with us, but why are you asking?”

“No, nothing.”

“Oh, come on. Tell me.”

“Can I have one?”

“Sure. Why not? Do you want to give them to anyone?”

“I will tell you but please don’t make me wait longer, else you will have to carry me to my house.”

Anokhi went and brought a food packet. Shaurya took it and sat down on the edge of the footpath. He frantically opened the boxes and started gobbling the food.

“What are you doing? You can sit in your car and eat.”

“I am sorry. I cannot control anymore.” Shaurya said, as he continued eating. It looked as if he hadn't eaten for days. Anokhi then took another packet and sat by his side.

“May I join you?” She asked.

“Sure. You are most welcome.” Shaurya said, with his mouth full of food.

Anokhi chuckled looking at him.

“You can laugh all you want.”

“No, but you are looking like a five year old with food smeared all over his face. She then brought her fingers towards his lips. Shaurya suddenly became conscious. He watched in silence as she gently removed the food from the corner of his lips. Then she wiped his face with her dupatta.

After they were done, Shaurya walked her to her car.

“So, did you like my kids?” Anokhi asked.

“What you are doing is very noble indeed. And these kids are helpless, I get it. But their parents, they seemed perfectly fit to do a job and earn their own living. Getting everything for free is going to spoil them. They encroach the public land and live there permanently, they get food and clothes from kindhearted people like you. This is the problem of our country, people don’t work hard enough to earn their living.”

“It is not that they don’t want to work hard. They are not given the opportunity to work hard. You were born rich. You don’t know how hard it is even for a middle class person to get a job, forget about those belonging to the lowest strata.”

“But I have seen how lazy and unambitious some of them are. I think you are too naive and idealistic to understand that. You couldn’t even see that the kid and his mother bluffed you into giving them money. I am sure she made her child drop that food and then deliberately created a scene. I was half expecting others to follow suit.”

“Hmm. I don’t completely dismiss your apprehension. But we shouldn’t stop being kind to people out of the fear that a handful of them might take undue advantage of our kindness. You seem to hold a very cynical view of the world.”

“That’s because I have seen more of this world than you. You are yet to see how cruel it can be. I have experienced at a very young age how even the people closest to you can ruin your life for their own selfish needs.”

“Trust me, Mr. Sabharwal, I have seen my fair share of this big bad world. It is bound to show its fangs to a woman, sometimes even before she steps out of the supposedly sweet and carefree age of childhood.”

Shaurya looked at her face. There was a smile on her lips but her soulful eyes were filled with gloom. The dim light of the streetlamps illuminated part of her face, hiding the rest in shadows. Her hair was untied, an unruly strand falling over her face and teasing it. She looked almost unreal, no, ethereal. At that moment he wanted hold her tight and protect her from all dangers of the world.

“Mam, we are getting late. Aastha Mam won’t say anything to you but I am definitely going to be at the receiving end of her anxious outbursts.”

That name was enough to bring Shaurya out of his reverie. For a moment his mind deviated from his mission. He should be careful not to let his feelings shake his resolve.

“Don’t worry, when I tell her what I was doing, she won’t get mad.” Anokhi assured the helper. Then she looked at Shaurya and said, “Good night, Mr. Sabharwal. Our paths diverge from here.”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Aastha realised after marriage how patriarchal the Sabharwals were. They never gave importance to a woman’s opinion. Aastha was taught by her parents and circumstances to do things on her own. She always took her own decisions but now even the clothes she would wear needed to be approved by Devi. The women needed permission from the men for going out, even for using the telephone.

What surprised her the most though was Shaan’s aloofness. She felt as if he was trying to avoid her as much as possible. She made herself understand that perhaps this was how men behaved after marriage. She took life as it came to her, without counting what she gained or lost on the way. But one thing she could never compromise on was her self respect. She raised her voice whenever she found any injustice being done. But Shaan would always sidestep the issue and asked her to keep quiet for the sake of peace in the family.

Shaan on the other hand was finding it difficult to face Aastha. He was not really running away from her, but from himself. Everytime he would look into her big, kind eyes, he would see a reflection of his ugly self in them. He tried his best to be a good husband. He looked after all her needs. Her material demands were few. It was not difficult to fulfill them. But her fiercely independent nature often put her at loggerheads with his family. Shaan couldn't openly support her even when he knew she was right. And this made him curse himself even more.

One place where Aastha could forget all her problems was the kitchen. She had to cook for everyone in the house. But she didn’t complain as she loved cooking. The kitchen was her own world. Time and again Tej would ask her if she had come up with something new. Some of the recipes he would praise and some he would reject. Though a certain sum of money was regularly deposited into her account.

Within a year of her marriage, Shaurya was born. Now her time was divided between her child and her passion. Aastha became so busy that she almost lost connection with the outside world. She didn’t even realize that the Sabharwals had trapped her in a cage until one day. There was a party at their restaurant. Aastha and Devi were sitting at a table with one of the guests.

“Mrs. Sabharwal, I have tasted palak paneer at so many restaurants but nothing compares to this. What would you take for giving me the recipe for this?”

“Why would we take anything? It is nothing special. The trick is to soak the paneer…”

Devi held Aastha’s hand and muttered, “You don’t leave any opportunity to brag about your skills. Do you?”

Then she said to the guest, “Mrs. Gupta, she was joking with you. Those recipes are a secret and even us women of the house are not aware of them.”

That night there was a big argument in the Sabharwal house.

“You should keep one thing in mind, Aastha. As a bahu of this house, it is your duty to preserve our honour and traditions. You should only think about our prosperity. What you were about to do today would have resulted in a big loss for our business. Those recipes are our trade secret. They should not be revealed to anyone else.” Tej said, gravely.

“But that palak paneer was not a secret recipe. It was just a technique I discovered while experimenting. And I often used to share my recipes with those interested but that never led to our restaurant losing business.

“This girl has a habit of arguing on every matter. Don’t compare Sabharwal Kitchen with your small roadside dhaba. I have made Sabharwal KItchen is the biggest restaurant brand in the region. So don’t try to teach me how to do business. You are a part of this family and so are your creations. If you care a little bit about us, you should remember not to divulge any of our recipes to outsiders. Am I clear?” Tej left angrily from there without waiting for an answer.

“I don’t understand the need for this.”

“You don’t have to understand. Just do what Tej says. Women don’t understand business so they should also not interfere in it”, Devi said. Then with a condescending glance at Aastha, she followed her husband.

Aastha dropped herself on the couch and held her head with her hands.

“Aastha.” She looked up hearing Shaan’s voice.

“I am such a fool, Shaan. What was I thinking when I agreed to your brother’s conditions? He is right. In order to succeed in this business you must keep your recipes a secret. Only then can you become such a big restaurant brand. But I never wanted to be a part of this. I didn’t want to reserve my work for the privileged few. This is not me. Why didn’t you tell me that becoming a Sabharwal bahu means losing your identity, giving up on everything you stand for?”

“Come on Aastha. To live in a family we have to make such small sacrifices. And you are getting much more than the other Sabharwal bahus. You are getting to earn for yourself. Tej Bhaisahab has made all the necessary arrangements so that you can work comfortably.”

“So I should be grateful for being allowed my basic right?” Aastha gave him a scornful look.

“Look at me Aastha.” Shaan held her and made her stand. “Is my love not enough? Is the beautiful angel who is a sign of our love not enough? As long as we are together, such minor things shouldn’t matter to you.”

“You are right.” Aastha said nodding her head. “I shouldn’t complain. I am becoming very demanding, isn’t it? I apologise for that.” Saying this, she released herself from his embrace and walked out of the room.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

“Mr. Sabharwal, what are you doing here? Aastha Mam’s class is there in five minutes. Come, let's go.

“I will have to excuse myself. If you don’t want last day’s incident to be repeated, just let me be.”

“That is what I am not getting. If you have come to learn something here, Aastha Mam’s class is the best place for it.”

“I don’t like her classes. I don’t find them interesting.”

“Are you serious? No one here is as good as Aastha Mam. I myself have been learning under her for six years and yet I feel there is so much more to learn.”

Shaurya lost his patience and got up, “In what language do I have to make you understand?”

“Well, I have been trying hard to be civil with you. But you don’t seem to understand. Now come with me.”

“Where?”

“Just do as I say.” Saying this, Anokhi started walking. On the way, they came across Aastha.

“I was coming to you Mam.”

“But why? Am I late for the class?”

“No, but I want you to suspend this student. He refuses to follow the rules of the institute.” Anokhi said, showing Shaurya.

“But what has he done?”

“As a student, he is supposed to attend all the classes but he doesn’t want to go to your class.”

“That’s fine. I don’t think it is that big an issue over which we suspend a student. He definitely doesn’t find my classes worthwhile. That is my shortcoming, not his.”

“How can you always be blind to his mistakes? You can forgive him once, but if he keeps repeating them…”

“He is not a child, Anokhi. I believe he very well understands the difference between right and wrong. Giving punishments will be like forcing him to do things against his will.”

“Can you cut this crap? I really can’t put up with this act of being oh so considerate and supportive. Just go ahead and sign my suspension papers.”

“Are you still going to remain quiet after this? Why do you have to tolerate all his wrongdoings?”

“Talking about wrongdoings, why not ask your Mam about her share of wrongdoings? Perhaps, she doesn’t even remember them. Let me help. How about leaving your only child and running away?”

Seeing Anokhi’s shocked expression, he said, “I think I couldn’t make it clear to you. Look at me. I am the person who she gave birth to but after some time found my responsibilities to be too much of a burden. Therefore one fine day she just left. I am sorry but I have no respect for such a heartless woman who abandons her own child.”

“Enough. Aastha Mam can never do such a thing.”

“He is right, Anokhi.” Aastha said, looking down.

“See, right from the horse’s mouth. Anyways, give me my suspension letter so I can leave.”

“We will talk about it later. You may go now if you want.”

After Shaurya left, Anokhi looked at Aastha and said, “I know you are not heartless. I am myself proof of that. I am sure he is having some misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding or not, the truth is that his mother left him when he was just a little child. I was not there for him when he really needed me, and he has every right to be mad at me for that.” Aastha said. She paused a bit to straighten herself up and said, “Come, we are getting late for class.The students must be getting impatient.”

Perhaps anokhi will listen to astha and emphasize with shau

Just because a person is good to u does not mean that person has not done their share of mistakes. Sometimes it's also easier when u are not legally and emo invested to help.

Shau and astha must repair it together and others can only support. Only they know why what and when

I didn't expect the truth to spill out so soon, seems interesting, even writers hav taken inspiration from CVs of giving us the Unexpected, will wait with baited breath for the next update please